Apr 14, 2011 at 02:33 AM
Speaking of Stage Racing, I'm thinking of this one.
Anyone interested?
http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=12495
Anyone interested?
http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=12495
Killington Stage Race (KSR)
May 05, 2011 at 05:03 PM
I don't see anyone registered yet. It's happening soon. We should get ready if we're doing it.
May 05, 2011 at 05:16 PM
Stephane, I'm still interested in this one for sure, but nobody responded to my intial ping
Do you have thoughts on travel and lodging?
Do you have thoughts on travel and lodging?
May 05, 2011 at 05:23 PM
Ryan,
Marc and Keith and I think Joaquin all went up last year. They should have some input.
Marc and Keith and I think Joaquin all went up last year. They should have some input.
May 05, 2011 at 09:10 PM
Okay, it's true, I went to the Beast of the East last year and had a terrible time of it. Some of it had to do with me, some of it had to do with the race organization. First, I'll put this out there, so you know my bias.
The only category available to me was the Pro 1/2 field, and so that's what I registered for. Day 1 was pouring rain, and the course was a long road race with hard climbing. I came off early rode solo, taking a wrong turn (thanks to an intersection that included 3 arrow signs, two of the largest signs were pointing in the wrong direction, one was pointing in the right direction, the cops standing at the corner were looking only at each other having a grand old time.) riding many many miles off course before I turned around to get back on track. Then while finishing out the distance, officials rode up to me in a car, and said, "you have to complete the entire distance," in a really nasty way. And then if I wasn't so wet and tired and already demoralized, I would have said, thanks, I was already planning on doing that, because I'm not a PUSSY-cat. And then while heading into my last lap, the same officials shouted at myself and another rider, "You're done, get off the course!" I just look at him, slow to a stop. I still say nothing. And he says, "You know we can't just keep the course open for you two guys. We'll give you a prorated time, but you probably won't make the time-cut anyway." And in my head I think, "thanks for the very informative and helpful information, ASSHOLE." But since I was not raised in a barn, I said nothing, turned away and went to go find my wife and dog.
Okay, so there you have it, my bias. Now you know where I'm coming from. Now I will share some "FACTS" with you. Most of this will not apply to you studs in other categories who routinely drop me on training rides, but...
Pre-factiod-fact: since I had already spent all my money on lodging and travel arrangement, I stayed up there that weekend and rode all the courses on the appropriate days for training. Now onto the other "facts."
1. There is a time-cut on all days. If you do not finish within that time-cut, you will not be allowed to race the next day.
2. Last year's day one was a hilly circuit race, that was harder than say for example, the circuit race stage of the Green Mountain Stage Race.
3. Last year, in the Pro 1/2 race, regional super stud (a guy who has won the Pro 1/2 Housatonic Hills in the past) Amos Brumble, finished mid-pack after all was said and done.
4. The TT is nice and flat and felt long as I was doing it solo as training. As much TT gear as you can hustle up, would be helpful. Cross windy though, so maybe choose the Zipp 808s for the front and not the 1010.
5. Killington Vt is pretty much exclusively an abandoned ski town this time of year. It's not fun and scenic and alive with people and other activities the way the Mad River Valley (host of the same organizer's other race, the Green Mountain Stage Race), or even the Manchester area where my wife and I enjoyed ourselves this past weekend.
6. The Queen's stage at Killington, I would say is actually longer and harder than the App Gap stage at the Green Mountain Stage Race, but it is so damn anti-climactic. You basically climb up a road that takes you too a big parking lot where there is big resort, and then you ride through said big parking lot into another parking lot, where you hit another little climb and about 3/4 of the way up this other connecting road to another parking lot there is the finish line. At Fitchburg, the queen's stage had you finish at the tip top of the mountain when the asphalt crumbles into a gravel pit. Very dramatic and fun. At GMSR, you climb to the top of the always windy and always spectacular App Gap (VT's highest paved road). Also very dramatic and fun.
That said, if you live to climb. And don't care about some of the complaints I've noted above, then Killington just may be the race for you.
The only category available to me was the Pro 1/2 field, and so that's what I registered for. Day 1 was pouring rain, and the course was a long road race with hard climbing. I came off early rode solo, taking a wrong turn (thanks to an intersection that included 3 arrow signs, two of the largest signs were pointing in the wrong direction, one was pointing in the right direction, the cops standing at the corner were looking only at each other having a grand old time.) riding many many miles off course before I turned around to get back on track. Then while finishing out the distance, officials rode up to me in a car, and said, "you have to complete the entire distance," in a really nasty way. And then if I wasn't so wet and tired and already demoralized, I would have said, thanks, I was already planning on doing that, because I'm not a PUSSY-cat. And then while heading into my last lap, the same officials shouted at myself and another rider, "You're done, get off the course!" I just look at him, slow to a stop. I still say nothing. And he says, "You know we can't just keep the course open for you two guys. We'll give you a prorated time, but you probably won't make the time-cut anyway." And in my head I think, "thanks for the very informative and helpful information, ASSHOLE." But since I was not raised in a barn, I said nothing, turned away and went to go find my wife and dog.
Okay, so there you have it, my bias. Now you know where I'm coming from. Now I will share some "FACTS" with you. Most of this will not apply to you studs in other categories who routinely drop me on training rides, but...
Pre-factiod-fact: since I had already spent all my money on lodging and travel arrangement, I stayed up there that weekend and rode all the courses on the appropriate days for training. Now onto the other "facts."
1. There is a time-cut on all days. If you do not finish within that time-cut, you will not be allowed to race the next day.
2. Last year's day one was a hilly circuit race, that was harder than say for example, the circuit race stage of the Green Mountain Stage Race.
3. Last year, in the Pro 1/2 race, regional super stud (a guy who has won the Pro 1/2 Housatonic Hills in the past) Amos Brumble, finished mid-pack after all was said and done.
4. The TT is nice and flat and felt long as I was doing it solo as training. As much TT gear as you can hustle up, would be helpful. Cross windy though, so maybe choose the Zipp 808s for the front and not the 1010.
5. Killington Vt is pretty much exclusively an abandoned ski town this time of year. It's not fun and scenic and alive with people and other activities the way the Mad River Valley (host of the same organizer's other race, the Green Mountain Stage Race), or even the Manchester area where my wife and I enjoyed ourselves this past weekend.
6. The Queen's stage at Killington, I would say is actually longer and harder than the App Gap stage at the Green Mountain Stage Race, but it is so damn anti-climactic. You basically climb up a road that takes you too a big parking lot where there is big resort, and then you ride through said big parking lot into another parking lot, where you hit another little climb and about 3/4 of the way up this other connecting road to another parking lot there is the finish line. At Fitchburg, the queen's stage had you finish at the tip top of the mountain when the asphalt crumbles into a gravel pit. Very dramatic and fun. At GMSR, you climb to the top of the always windy and always spectacular App Gap (VT's highest paved road). Also very dramatic and fun.
That said, if you live to climb. And don't care about some of the complaints I've noted above, then Killington just may be the race for you.
May 05, 2011 at 11:21 PM
Definitely not. I'd probably make the time cut this year, because I'm a little fitter, and I now know which way to turn despite misleading arrows, but, I'm actually more suited to the big road race in Jersey, Hills of Somerset over Memorial Day Weekend.
May 06, 2011 at 02:06 PM
May 06, 2011 at 02:19 PM
Too bad the road race is for the pro-1-2 only.
May 07, 2011 at 11:14 PM
I just spent a mess of time detailing the race and providing info and insight and the crap forum deleted my writing.
I'm not doing it again.
Housing: I used homeway.com
Stay near the access road to Killington or on Rt 100.
There is no real climbing until day 3. The first climb and the final climb on stage 3 are very hard. The finish climb on East Mountain Road is much harder than App Gap at Green Mountain Stage Race.
The guy who wins the TT probably won't win GC.
Day 1 has a fast crazy downhill finish. Be prepared.
Keith
I'm not doing it again.
Housing: I used homeway.com
Stay near the access road to Killington or on Rt 100.
There is no real climbing until day 3. The first climb and the final climb on stage 3 are very hard. The finish climb on East Mountain Road is much harder than App Gap at Green Mountain Stage Race.
The guy who wins the TT probably won't win GC.
Day 1 has a fast crazy downhill finish. Be prepared.
Keith
May 08, 2011 at 09:11 PM
Okay, after going back and forth a bunch, I'm doing this one. If anyone else wants to get in, holler at me, and I'll factor you into the plan making. Likewise, if there are existing plans that I can impose on, that would be even better!
May 30, 2011 at 05:16 PM
Me, Jeff Owens, Rene, and Keith, stayed in a nice house with several Mengonis and and Adler guy. Good people, beautiful weather and scenery, and amazing food nonstop, thanks to the work of Keith Snyder.
I loved this race. And it's damn hard. 50 plus mph downhill sprint on day 1. An 11 mile, straight, 1-3% grade TT that many of the smaller guys (including me) got pummeled on. And then a 60 mile road race with two hard climbs, a fast dirt descent, and an absolute wall of a climb at the end.
We all got beat up pretty good, I think - I'll let the other guys speak for themselves. My brief report, on the final stage today it was balls out from the gun. Half the field was dropped on a climb that started at mile 3. I made a 6 man selection on the intermediate climb (dropping a Jacobs brother wearing the KOM jersey, some of you will be glad to know). I was actually thrilled to have made that group, but I faded a little and ended up in a 4 man chase about a minute back with said Jacobs brother and two other guys from teams I didn't recognize. I was okay with that, I knew I couldn't podium but I hoped I might be able to follow wheels and sneak into the top 10. We chased hard, which gave us a couple minutes on the field, and I thought I had a top ten sewn up. And then, I just went to pieces on the final climb. It was hot, I was out of water, felt like throwing up - just totally fell apart. I was going so slow I'm surprised the bike didn't fall over. I hung my head in shame as guys who had gotten shelled earlier pedaled past me. I begged other broken riders for water. I finished. Ended up 17th in the GC.
Definitely a race I'd like to have another shot at though. It's lovely up there, it was pretty well organized, and overall a great experience. Special thanks to Keith for organizing and feeding us like pros.
I loved this race. And it's damn hard. 50 plus mph downhill sprint on day 1. An 11 mile, straight, 1-3% grade TT that many of the smaller guys (including me) got pummeled on. And then a 60 mile road race with two hard climbs, a fast dirt descent, and an absolute wall of a climb at the end.
We all got beat up pretty good, I think - I'll let the other guys speak for themselves. My brief report, on the final stage today it was balls out from the gun. Half the field was dropped on a climb that started at mile 3. I made a 6 man selection on the intermediate climb (dropping a Jacobs brother wearing the KOM jersey, some of you will be glad to know). I was actually thrilled to have made that group, but I faded a little and ended up in a 4 man chase about a minute back with said Jacobs brother and two other guys from teams I didn't recognize. I was okay with that, I knew I couldn't podium but I hoped I might be able to follow wheels and sneak into the top 10. We chased hard, which gave us a couple minutes on the field, and I thought I had a top ten sewn up. And then, I just went to pieces on the final climb. It was hot, I was out of water, felt like throwing up - just totally fell apart. I was going so slow I'm surprised the bike didn't fall over. I hung my head in shame as guys who had gotten shelled earlier pedaled past me. I begged other broken riders for water. I finished. Ended up 17th in the GC.
Definitely a race I'd like to have another shot at though. It's lovely up there, it was pretty well organized, and overall a great experience. Special thanks to Keith for organizing and feeding us like pros.
May 30, 2011 at 05:55 PM
Paris-Nice 2009, 7th stage to Fayence, Contador suffered a similar fate 4 kilometers before the finish.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1vNZm7ukJM&feature=related
(if you're in a hurry, you can skip the first four minutes)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1vNZm7ukJM&feature=related(if you're in a hurry, you can skip the first four minutes)
May 31, 2011 at 12:11 AM
In the words of woody guthrie: Why o why o why? Do I sign up for hilly races when I haven't been able to train consistently for almost two years?
Anyway, I'll start and end this post by reiterating what an awesome cook Keith is. It cannot be overstated. As Ryan said, the house was full of good guys, one of which is named Jimmy French Fries and races for Scottos. He was hilarious
I have the flu. I tell Ryan on the way down Friday I have about a 20% chance of racing. I was really thinking 5%. Saturday I figure, screw it, I can always drop out. Turns out the course wasn't that difficult and I pretty much sat in. Although when the last 5K was downhill and it bunched up, I had to try and make it a little safer for the 50+ mph field sprint. Sitting in=boring.
Anyway, time trial sucked. Today sucked. Ryan is wrong. About 85% of the field got dropped on the first climb. Came back together. I feel like shit, but we are going like 17mph and that's embarassing. I decide to blow up just to get this over with and drag the field for about 15 miles. 2nd climb: explosion. Ryan called it from there as I quickly found myself overcome with chills and tingling feelings over most of my body. I stop a couple of times for a wounded (mechanical) Westwood velo rider. We peddle on. Slowly.
Regardless, a fun weekend and Ryan poured his guts out. Had a good time with Rene and Keith and everyone. Oh, and Keith cooks like a fiend!
Vermont is pretty.
Anyway, I'll start and end this post by reiterating what an awesome cook Keith is. It cannot be overstated. As Ryan said, the house was full of good guys, one of which is named Jimmy French Fries and races for Scottos. He was hilarious
I have the flu. I tell Ryan on the way down Friday I have about a 20% chance of racing. I was really thinking 5%. Saturday I figure, screw it, I can always drop out. Turns out the course wasn't that difficult and I pretty much sat in. Although when the last 5K was downhill and it bunched up, I had to try and make it a little safer for the 50+ mph field sprint. Sitting in=boring.
Anyway, time trial sucked. Today sucked. Ryan is wrong. About 85% of the field got dropped on the first climb. Came back together. I feel like shit, but we are going like 17mph and that's embarassing. I decide to blow up just to get this over with and drag the field for about 15 miles. 2nd climb: explosion. Ryan called it from there as I quickly found myself overcome with chills and tingling feelings over most of my body. I stop a couple of times for a wounded (mechanical) Westwood velo rider. We peddle on. Slowly.
Regardless, a fun weekend and Ryan poured his guts out. Had a good time with Rene and Keith and everyone. Oh, and Keith cooks like a fiend!
Vermont is pretty.
Mar 27, 2012 at 06:21 AM
Bump!
Who wants to do this stage race? Lots of good info in the thread above from last year.
I know we have me, Norm, and Joe.
Lets get a team house together early so we have our pick.
Anyone targeting Catskills, Fitchburg, Green Mountain - I'd highly recommend this one as an early season prep.
Who wants to do this stage race? Lots of good info in the thread above from last year.
I know we have me, Norm, and Joe.
Lets get a team house together early so we have our pick.
Anyone targeting Catskills, Fitchburg, Green Mountain - I'd highly recommend this one as an early season prep.
Mar 27, 2012 at 07:47 AM
I'm pretty sure Joe said over in a different thread that he was in for this.
I'm pretty sure I'm staying in Jersey for crit weekend.
I'm pretty sure I'm staying in Jersey for crit weekend.
Mar 27, 2012 at 08:16 AM
What's the date of this race, I'll check out this year's details on Bikereg?
Mar 27, 2012 at 08:26 AM
Posted By: AdamWhat's the date of this race, I'll check out this year's details on Bikereg?Last weekend in may
Mar 27, 2012 at 05:21 PM
I'm down!
Mar 27, 2012 at 06:07 PM
I think Im going to do the tour of somerville who else is down?
Mar 31, 2012 at 09:14 AM
Just signed up for Killington.
Mar 31, 2012 at 09:48 AM
me too
Apr 24, 2012 at 08:07 AM
BUMP
Housing being arranged. If you're coming, commit now or lose out.
It's on in Vermont!!!!!
Housing being arranged. If you're coming, commit now or lose out.
It's on in Vermont!!!!!
Apr 24, 2012 at 08:10 PM
Killington is great. Better than Catskills actually.
Apr 24, 2012 at 08:36 PM
Posted By: Jeff OwensKillington is great. Better than Catskills actually.It's not better than Catskills, but its great.
Apr 24, 2012 at 08:51 PM
Fitchburg kicks the asses of both of those second tier stage races. ;-)
Apr 24, 2012 at 09:00 PM
Killington... more hills than Catskills?
Apr 25, 2012 at 05:44 AM
Less hills. That's why Ryan likes Catskills more. Killington was more well-rounded. The first road race was an interesting up and down loop, and the TT was loooong with false flats with no shield from the wind. The last stage had two killer climbs though.
May 18, 2012 at 11:37 AM
It just hit me. I am so excited about this race.
May 26, 2012 at 09:43 AM
Brief race report.
3 laps, 55 miles, not much climbing. Crazy downhill finish destined to end in a field sprint.
Made a hard move after the last KOM with some others. Gap was forming, tongues were hanging out and then...we were neutralized.
Typical sprint finish, but at 50 mph due to the downhill profile. Of course, that means typical Cat 4 sprint crash involving idiots going all Renshaw on each other in their fight for 30th place, except super extra gnarly at 50 mph. I can't help but feel those dumb asses get what they deserve. But the guys who they take out sure don't.
Me Norm and Jules stuck together near the front most of the day. Goal was to stay safe and finish in the bunch for same time. Goal accomplished.
The real racing starts tomorrow with the TT.
3 laps, 55 miles, not much climbing. Crazy downhill finish destined to end in a field sprint.
Made a hard move after the last KOM with some others. Gap was forming, tongues were hanging out and then...we were neutralized.
Typical sprint finish, but at 50 mph due to the downhill profile. Of course, that means typical Cat 4 sprint crash involving idiots going all Renshaw on each other in their fight for 30th place, except super extra gnarly at 50 mph. I can't help but feel those dumb asses get what they deserve. But the guys who they take out sure don't.
Me Norm and Jules stuck together near the front most of the day. Goal was to stay safe and finish in the bunch for same time. Goal accomplished.
The real racing starts tomorrow with the TT.
May 26, 2012 at 10:34 AM
not surprised. all the best on the TT guys!
May 26, 2012 at 12:20 PM
Why neutralized?